Rough Edge: Various Artists - Halloween II Soundtrack CD Review

VARIOUS ARTISTS

"Halloween II: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack" (Hip-O; 2009)

Rob Zombie's talents as a film writer and/or director may be debatable, but you can't deny that the man knows how to choose great music for his soundtracks.

Sandwiched between brief bits of dialogue from Zombie's slasher film sequel, the soundtrack for "Halloween II" collects classic tracks by such varied artists as The Moody Blues, 10cc, Motorhead, Rod Stewart, MC5, Foghat, and many others. Most of the songs you'll recognize instantly (I mean, how many times have you heard Foghat's "I Just Wanna Make Love to You"?) but also featured are new recordings such as two fun horror hillbilly rockers from Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures (who also appear in the film), the interesting but unnecessary 80-second "Laura's Theme" by John 5, a haunting cover of the Nazareth classic "Love Hurts" by Nan Vernon and an effective track from the original score by Tyler Bates ("Nurse Killa").

Of course, what makes Zombie's choice of music so effective isn't how it's used on a soundtrack album but how it's used in a the film. Because this is a CD review and not a film review all I'll tell you is that, like most of Zombie's other film soundtracks, the soundtrack to "Halloween II,' heavy with classic tracks, is an enjoyable listen throughout but probably not something you absolutely must have in your collection. Fans of the film may enjoy the way it reminds them of key scenes but, otherwise, most of these tracks are available elsewhere and, depending on the size of your CD collection, you may very well already have them.

Tracklisting:
1. Dialogue: "He's Fucking Dead."
2. The Moody Blues "Nights in White Satin"
3. Dialogue: "Halloween is Coming"
4. 10cc "The Things We Do For Love"
5. Dialogue: Who's Lee Mavin?
6. Scream "Amerarockers"
7. Dialogue: Jam & Jelly
8. MC5 "Kick Out the Jams"
9. Dialogue: "Ass good"
10. Rod Stewart "(I Know) I'm Losing You
11. Dialogue: "D-E-A-D"
12. Motorhead "The Chase is Better Than the Catch
13. Dialogue: "I'm Angel Myers"
14. John 5 "Laura's Theme"
15. Dialogue "I Want to Party"
16. Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures "Transylvania Terror Train"
17. Dialogue "Jack O'Lantern and a Blonde"
18. Captain Clegg and the Night Creatures "Honky Tonk Halloween"
19. Dialogue "Bring Your Baby Back Home"
20. Foghat "I Just Want to Make Love to You
21. Dialogue: Snapped on By Weird Al
22. Void - Time to Die
23. Dialogue "I Love You Mommy"
24. Nan Vernon "Love Hurts
25. Tyler Bates "Nurse Killa"

Rating Guide:

A classic. This record will kick your ass.

Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.

So-so. You've heard better.

Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.

Self explanatory. Just the sight of the cover makes you wanna hurl.

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